Owning The Coast

Santa Cruz Vibes Media, LLC
  • 5.0 (3)
  • BUSINESS

Owning The Coast is your weekly deep dive into the people, places, and possibilities that make Santa Cruz one of the most inspiring places to live. Hosted by real estate pro Brandi Jones, mortgage and market expert Ryan Buckholdt, and insurance specialist Jerry Seagraves, the show blends their unique expertise with candid conversations and dynamic guests. Each week, you’ll hear stories that go beyond property lines — from navigating the local housing market to discovering hidden trails, tasting the best bites in town, and meeting the entrepreneurs, artists, and community leaders shaping the coast. Whether you’re a long-time local, a newcomer, or dreaming about making Santa Cruz home, Owning The Coast offers the insights, inspiration, and insider knowledge you need to thrive in life and living by the sea.

  1. 3D AGO

    Finding Balance Between Rock Stardom And Real Life

    A Santa Cruz kid sketches a drum in kindergarten, stands before Steven Tyler at 22, fronts Quiet Riot, and then decides what matters most isn’t fame, but the life built around the songs. That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with James Durbin—raw, funny, and unguarded—about chasing the spotlight without losing your voice. We dig into the unglamorous truth of American Idol: 30-hour lines, adrenaline whiplash, and the discipline to say no when producers want to pick your songs. James shares how his wife’s belief and a house full of sticky-note affirmations shifted everything, turning talent into momentum. He tells the story behind singing Dream On with Steven’s blessing, the post-Idol offers that tempted him, and the surprising gigs he declined to protect his identity as an artist, not just “the singing show guy.” Then we get honest about rock and roll reality. Quiet Riot gave him massive highs and some hard lessons—stop-start calendars, long travel for short pay, and creative control that vanished under a firm hand. James explains how those years clarified his values: family time counts, authenticity matters, and music should feel like a choice, not a contract. Back home, The Lost Boys and solo sets let him read the room, swap songs on the fly, and enjoy the simple magic of a crowd leaning in. We close with his new single, Paradise, a coastal reggae rock vibe that pairs naturally with his earlier Capitola on My Mind, plus a synth-driven album in the works. If you love artist origin stories, rock history, and practical wisdom on balancing ambition with a real life, you’ll feel this one. Hit play, share it with a friend who needs a creative reset, and drop a review to tell us your favorite moment. Subscribe for more stories from the coast.

    53 min

  2. FEB 10

    Community, Strategy, And Contact Sport: The Rebuild Of Santa Cruz Roller Derby

    The Santa Cruz market just did a U-turn. After a sleepy January with only 56 closings, the first days of February brought 18 new pendings—many with multiple offers—reminding us how quickly momentum returns when buyers are ready and listings are sharp. We unpack what those numbers really mean, why last week’s headlines can mislead today’s decisions, and how to read pendings, days on market, and agent chatter to navigate the next move with clarity. We also break down a money myth: 3.2% home appreciation vs 3% in the bank isn’t apples to apples. With 20% down, appreciation compounds on the full price of the home, not just your cash. That leverage can turn a modest price gain into a meaningful equity lift, before you add principal paydown or potential tax advantages. We explore smart sequencing—build equity first, then redeploy gains into the market—and what early spring activity suggests for buyers and sellers preparing now. Then we lace up and spotlight Santa Cruz Roller Derby on National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Forget the 1970s theatrics; flat-track derby is a real sport with positions, penalties, strategies, and relentless cardio. You’ll hear how jams work, why lead jammers control the clock, and how disciplined formations turn chaos into chess. The league is a 501(c)(3) in rebuild mode with around 50 active members, a four-date home schedule at the Civic (Mar 21, Jun 27, Sep 19, Nov 7), and a clear path for newcomers: six-week boot camps that take true beginners from first strides to tryout-ready. Sponsors keep the wheels turning—venue costs, travel teams, scholarships, and officiating—and get VIP perks, shout-outs, and real community impact in return. If you want a downtown night with energy, clarity, and local pride, grab tickets, pick a favorite jammer, and join a crowd that learns the rules as the action unfolds. And if you’re eyeing a move in Santa Cruz housing, use real-time signals, not stale soundbites. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs market context or a new weekend plan, and leave a quick review to help more locals find the show. Santa Cruz Derby Girls Guests: Mike "Pyro" DeMars & Tamara "Tadow" Dow ----- SHOW NOTES & LINKS  🎟️ Santa Cruz Roller Derby Tickets & Schedule: https://santacruzrollerderby.org 🛼 Learn to Skate / Boot Camps: https://santacruzrollerderby.org/join Hosts Brandi Jones With 16+ consecutive years as a top producer at a firm ranked #1 for over 44 years, Brandi has closed hundreds of transactions across Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay—from first-time buyers to luxury estates. A UC Santa Cruz graduate, longtime community board member, and lifelong advocate for her clients, she pairs deep market knowledge with calm, strategic guidance. Jerry Seagraves —  Your go-to Farmers Insurance agent in Soquel for over 20 years, Jerry brings a warm, personal approach to protecting what matters most—from home and auto to business coverage—while staying deeply connected to the Santa Cruz community. Ryan Buckholdt —  Branch Manager and Loan Officer with deep local roots, Ryan blends mortgage expertise with a hometown perspective. Raised in a real-estate family and shaped by decades in Santa Cruz County, he simplifies complex financing and guides buyers with clarity and integrity.

    39 min

  3. FEB 6

    Jennalee Dahlen: How A Single Facial Sparked A Career In Holistic Healing And Civic Service

    What if your skin is telling the story your nervous system can’t say out loud? We sit down with master aesthetician and community leader Jennalee Dahlen of Yoso Wellness to trace a journey from corporate burnout to hands-on healing, and from personal skin cancer to oncology-safe care that restores dignity, calm, and confidence. Jennalee shares how one facial shifted her life, why giving care can feel better than receiving, and how true holistic skincare goes far beyond products. We dig into stress, inflammation, lymphatic flow, hydration, UV protection, and the art of listening for the details people don’t write on intake forms. Jenny’s philosophy is simple and brave: meet every client without judgment, build a custom blueprint, and support their choices—whether that includes injectables, lasers, or a fully “clean” path—by focusing on longevity and repair. We also explore Jennalee's civic work as downtown commissioner and police advisory committee member, highlighting how informed, compassionate dialogue can calm extremes and improve community health. Then we move into oncology aesthetics with practical steps for sensitive skin: hyaluronic acid, supportive oils, chamomile and arnica for inflammation, and careful timing around chemo cycles. Jenny explains how a single hour on the table can let someone forget the weight they’re carrying—and why that matters. Finally, we get real about hormones, perimenopause, and partnership. Expect grounded tools for nervous system regulation, the science of slower hugs, and ways to offer support without judgment when skin, mood, and sleep all change at once. If you care about healthy aging, clean ingredients, and the deeper stories faces carry, this conversation offers thoughtful insights and tangible next steps. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a quick review—your support helps others find these stories.

    57 min

  4. FEB 4

    Santa Cruz Food, Fitness, And Community Building

    Hungry for proof that food can rebuild culture one bite at a time? The newest episode of Owning The Coast opens with a quick reality check on Santa Cruz County—rates, listings, insurance, and the economic pressure shaping how people live and spend—before handing the mic to Daniel J, the creator behind Double Meat Please. Daniel’s story starts with arriving in Santa Cruz in 2006 and finding belonging through rugby and CrossFit, eventually owning two gyms and building a coaching voice rooted in clarity and trust. During COVID, that same discipline turned into something unexpected: a daily video practice that slowly became a craft. What emerged is Double Meat—highly watchable, no-gimmick food storytelling that actually helps people decide where to eat, without cheap takedowns or inflated hype. We dig into why Daniel avoids numerical ratings, how he handles negative comments with curiosity instead of defensiveness, and the delicate balance between being honest and still supporting small businesses. He breaks down his content strategy—pho runs, burger crawls, neighborhood series—why research matters before you ever sit down to eat, and even the very practical reason he wears gloves when filming a messy burger. The conversation also gets tactical. Daniel lays out a clear monetization path for creators and restaurants alike: content packages, on-site shoots, and simple posting playbooks for businesses that need consistent, high-quality video but don’t have the time (or energy) to plan, film, and edit it themselves. Along the way, there are plenty of specific, drool-worthy recommendations: elevated pub plates at Emerald Mallard, biscuits from Busy Bees, massive sashimi at Naka Sushi, Detroit-style pepperoni from Slice Project, and a downtown after-hours route that stitches together fried chicken, dumplings, ramen, coffee, and cocktails into one nearly perfect night. If you care about Santa Cruz food, creator ethics, or turning genuine passion into a business that actually serves its community, this episode is loaded with practical ideas and real places to try. Come for the market update, stay for the playbook on building culture with a camera and a crew of friends. Follow Double Meat on Instagram, check doublemeatplease.com for services, and if this conversation sparked a new craving or idea—share the show, subscribe, and leave a quick review.  What local dish should we feature next?

    57 min

  5. JAN 22

    Chris Murphy: Santa Cruz Warriors; Growth, Grit, And Giving Back

    A packed gym can change a city—especially when you can feel the hardwood in your chest from 15 rows up. We sat down with Chris Murphy, president of the Santa Cruz Warriors, to unpack how a G League franchise turned a 2,500-seat arena into a winter ritual, a talent pipeline, and a hub for community pride. From the first sellouts to the next arena, this is the story of choosing right-sized over oversized and substance over flash. Chris shares his coast-to-coast journey from entry-level ticket sales to running the club, and the operating reality beneath the roar: small departments, rising costs, and the tricky math of recruiting in a high-rent market. We dig into the character-first philosophy that shapes the roster, why 60 percent of NBA players now have G League experience, and how Santa Cruz’s “just right” proximity to Golden State fuels real development and real call-ups. You’ll hear why players love living downtown, how front office staff logs 50 to 75 volunteer hours a year, and what it takes to balance practices, school visits, and sold-out nights without losing momentum. If you’ve never been to Kaiser Permanente Arena, consider this your invitation. Tickets average about forty dollars, the court feels a breath away, and the themed nights are built for locals—think a full Grateful Dead tribute and a celebration of the Golden State Valkyries’ historic season. We also talk candidly about the proposed arena timeline, the partners helping make it possible, and practical ways businesses can plug in—from season tickets as client gifts to sharing community events that make the team more than a game. Join us for a courtside look at growth, grit, and giving back. If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves hoops or Santa Cruz, and leave a quick review to help more neighbors find it.

    57 min

  6. JAN 20

    Ten Pull-Ups, Zero Nonsense: The Eviction Expert Landlords Actually Like w/ Anne Michelle Francis

    What if most “bad tenants” weren’t actually the problem? We bring on Anne Michelle Francis, CEO of Blueprint Evictions, to explore the hidden mechanics of landlording in California: the power of a clear lease, the limits of the Tenant Protection Act, and the practical moves that keep you out of court. Anne Michelle shares how education beats escalation, why 75% of well‑crafted notices resolve without eviction, and how small waivers snowball into big losses when owners stop enforcing their own rules. We dig into one of the most emotional mistakes in housing: keeping rent low for years out of kindness. It feels generous until life happens and a tenant is suddenly priced out. We walk through a better framework—modest, regular adjustments, upfront communication, and even banking the difference if you want to help—so people aren’t blindsided later. From reviewing rental agreements before you buy multi‑unit properties to aligning insurance with the real use of a home, we map the proactive steps that protect cash flow and relationships. You’ll also hear a compassionate cash‑for‑keys blueprint, where clarity, safety, and milestones create dignified outcomes without dragging everyone through a slow legal process. If you’re a landlord, agent, or investor, this conversation is a masterclass in staying compliant, avoiding common traps, and building a rental business that runs on structure instead of stress. We cover TPA 2019 essentials, the difference between residential and commercial obligations, and why renting to friends without a real lease is a fast track to uncovered losses. Want fewer headaches and more control? Start with the lease, document everything, and keep communication current. If this helped, follow the show, share it with a landlord who needs it, and leave a quick review to help others find us. Got a lease clause or screening tip you swear by? Tell us—we might feature it next time.

    45 min

  7. JAN 20

    How the Ow Family Revived Santa Cruz’s Wrigley Building Into An Innovation Hub

    A rate dip below six percent, insurance carriers tiptoeing back into California’s wildfire zones, and a gum factory reinvented as a hive of ideas—this conversation tracks momentum that actually moves lives. We bring William Ow into the studio to tell the inside story of how his family took on the largest vacant building in Santa Cruz and turned it into a curated ecosystem that powers jobs, innovation, and pride you can point to on any Westside walk. William pulls back the curtain on the early days: courting skeptical tenants to the far Westside with creative deals, applying a retailer’s curation logic to industrial and R&D users, and enforcing a deceptively simple rule that changed everything—the no-assholes policy. When you protect culture, you protect value. Anchors like USGS and Santa Cruz Bicycles created a foundation, and right-sized space unlocked capability; moving SCB from 27k to over 100k square feet catalyzed assembly-line growth and global reach. The building now breathes like a resilient portfolio: when one tenant consolidates, nine new companies get room to start, test, and scale. We also dive into the sustainability ledger. With utilities that look like a small city, William installed solar in phases starting in 2006, building to roughly 1.2 megawatts and aiming for consumption parity. During the pandemic lull, he doubled down on upgrades so the return felt tangibly better—because presentation matters when founders are raising capital and hiring teams. And this isn’t a fortress: First Fridays, open studios, a Saturday farmers market, and Cars and Coffee make the upstairs a public-friendly gallery of makers and ideas. From Chelsea Market to Turin’s Fiat factory track, adaptive reuse inspired the vision; Santa Cruz gave it a heart. We open with rate and insurance shifts that could reanimate moves, refinances, and commercial bets, then show how optimism, problem solving, and local roots turn square footage into an engine. If you care about real estate, startups, Santa Cruz culture, or how to build a thriving middle class through place-based ecosystems, you’ll feel at home here. Enjoy the story, share it with a friend who loves adaptive reuse, and if it resonates, subscribe and leave a review—it helps more builders and dreamers find us.

    54 min

  8. 10/29/2025

    Santa Cruz Roots, Skate Art, And A Leap Into A Creative Life w/ Scotty Greathouse

    What does it really take to leave a steady job and build a life in color? We sit down with Santa Cruz artist Scotty Greathouse to trace the leap from concrete trucks to murals, from surf-shop inspiration to a 160-foot Trader Joe’s wall in San Francisco. Scotty opens up about the turning point—a LinkedIn mural that made strangers stop and say this is awesome—along with the messy, honest parts: dry spells, self-doubt, and the discipline it takes to keep showing up when the phone goes quiet. We dig into the roots that shaped his eye: 80s deck graphics, neon surf palettes, and the kinetic energy of skate culture. Scotty explains why he often works solo to protect a design’s integrity, yet celebrates true collaboration like the Seawalls project that unified 12 artists under a single ocean-up perspective. His Boardwalk restoration stories reveal how you navigate brand feel, public expectations, and the craft of fixing what time and traffic wear down. He also shares why Felton made sense, how he and his wife rebuilt a red-tagged home, and why time wealth with kids makes the risk worthwhile. Beyond the art, we get practical. We talk Instagram as a living portfolio, websites as curated galleries, and how AI SEO and narrative-driven blogs can boost discoverability for creatives. Then we zoom out to the region’s hard truth: wildfire insurance is rewriting the rules of owning a home in the Santa Cruz Mountains. With Fair Plan rates surging, we break down real steps to soften the blow—policy structure, deductibles, and home hardening—while calling for recognition of new mitigation tech that could save properties and budgets. If you care about creativity, community, and carving a path in an expensive place, this one lands. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs the push to commit, and leave a review with your biggest leap of faith—we might read it on the show.

    49 min
See All (16)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Owning The Coast is your weekly deep dive into the people, places, and possibilities that make Santa Cruz one of the most inspiring places to live. Hosted by real estate pro Brandi Jones, mortgage and market expert Ryan Buckholdt, and insurance specialist Jerry Seagraves, the show blends their unique expertise with candid conversations and dynamic guests. Each week, you’ll hear stories that go beyond property lines — from navigating the local housing market to discovering hidden trails, tasting the best bites in town, and meeting the entrepreneurs, artists, and community leaders shaping the coast. Whether you’re a long-time local, a newcomer, or dreaming about making Santa Cruz home, Owning The Coast offers the insights, inspiration, and insider knowledge you need to thrive in life and living by the sea.

Information

  • Creator
    Santa Cruz Vibes Media, LLC
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Owning The Coast
  • Show Website
    Owning The Coast